Traffic signal



Nov. 12, 1935. A. D.- JOHNS, JR 2,020,610

TRAFFIC S IGNAL Filed May 3, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 El INVENTOR,

ArthurDouglasJo 71 118 Jr.

. BMCEU ATTORN ///////////////J/. 'IIIIJ/l I/I/ Nov. 12, 1935. JOHNS. JR 2,020,610

TRAFFIC S IGNAL Filed May 3, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR, AvthurflouglasJohwsJn Patented Nov. 12, 1935 UNITED STATES- 2,020,610 TRAFFIC srGNAL Arthur Douglas John's, .l'r.,' Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada application May 3, 1934, Serial No. 723,693

1. Claim.

My invention relates to improvements in-neonsign, highway-crossing signals and timers, and has for an object to provide neon illuminating gas tubes in suitable shapes for automatic highway and street-crossing signalsQreplacing the electric lamp and colored lenses of present use.

Another object of my improvement is to replace the legends on the said colored lenses, as well as "the lenses themselves, with neon 'lighttube letters.

Another object of my improvement is to provide, as a part of the automatic signals, extensions of the gas light tubes which are illuminated in fractional parts, additively or subtractively, thus visibly indicating automatically the part of the crossing period time of observation.

Another object of my improvement is to provide an automatic crossing signal which is not illuminated, in the operative colors thereof, by the direct rays of the sun.

Another object of my improvement is to provide an electric street-crossing signal operating automatically with less electric current than is now required.

Another object of my improvement is to provide an electric street-crossing signal of more pleasing appearance than those now in use.

Other objects of my invention will appear as the description thereof proceeds.

. I attain these and other objects of my improvement with the device illustrated in the accompanying two sheets of drawings, which form a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of my signal box in section on the line 1-! of Fig. 2 and a plan view of the signal operating apparatus, Fig. 2 is the front or east side elevation of the signal, Fig. 3 is north side eleva tion of the signal, Fig. 4 is the rear side elevation of the bell-control mechanism, Fig. 5 is a segregated front elevation of the switch board, drawn on a larger scale, Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the segregated switch arms, drawn'on. a larger scale,

, Fig. 7 is an edge elevation of Fig. 6, Fig. 8 is an end view of the longer switch arm takenfrom Fig. '7, Fig. 9 is an end view of the shorter switch arm taken from Fig. '7, Fig. 10 is a plan view in section of a fragment of the switch board on the diagonal line Iii-l0 of Fig. 5, Fig. 11 is a. side elevation of the outer end of the timer tube, the remainder being broken away, in section on a medial plane, Fig. 12 is a diagram of the electrical connections for the red signals, and Fig. 13 is a diagram of the electrical connections for the green signals.

Similar characters indicate similar parts in past and remaining at any the several views. Certain parts are broken away to show other parts hidden thereby.

With morev particular reference to designated parts: Y Y

The frame for the signal box consists of four 5 angle bars having the webs l5, l4 and the relatively wide flanges l5 set vertically at each box corner with the flanges projected diagonally outward and curved inwardly at the upper part of the frame to be joined at the vertical center line 1c of the box and fastened beneath the ornamental flange M5 of support pipe I46.

The bottom ends of the saidcorner angle bars are fastened to the square frame, made by the four bottom bars aid. The irame is covered with its sheet metal side plates I! and dome plates. is

fastened along their edges to the frame angle bars and bottom bars, the dome sheets l8 overlapping the tops of the side sheets N. All of these cover sheets or plates are preferably fas- 20 tened by screws through the plates and engaged in tapped holes in the box frame, providing for their easy removal.

A floor I6 is fastened to the frame at the spring of the dome curves providing a top room in the 25 box for the signal operating apparatus the several parts of which are shown in plan view in 'Fig. 1. Access to this apparatus room is easily had by removing one or more of the plates I 8.

The flat rectangular cover plates i1 each pro- 30 vide a bag on which are mounted two similar shaped signal tubes disposed one above the other. The signal tubes on the east plate I! will first be described. Near the bottom of the plate at all! are the tube letters G0. One end of the tube 35 begins in letter O at 4|. From the letter G the tube is extended in two concentric circles i9 around the tube letters GO, finishing its circular shape at 43 from which point the tube is extended upwardly in an outward curve at 43 to its other 4.0 end at 5|. This is one of four similarly shaped signal tubes which are reserved for green starting signals on the four sides of the box near the bottom. The one on the north side being shown in Fig. 3 at a23, 23, 24. The central letters and 45 the enclosing part of the tube I9 constitute the main signal part of the tube while the part 43 is the timer-extension thereto.

0n the upper part of the east plate I! at all are the tube letters 50 tube begins at 15in the letter F and is extended as in a vertical position to the floor I6.

from the letter T in two concentric circles 21 around the said letters to the point 13 from where the tube is extended downward in an outer curve to its other end at 65. This is one of four similar shapes of tube signals reserved for the red stop signals disposed on four sides of the box near the top. The one on the north side is showninFig.-3 at a3l,3l,32.

The only' difference between the signal tubes at the top and bottom of the sides of the signal box resides in the tube letters at the center of the coil, and one of the tubes is revolved through an angle of 180 relative to the other. The continuation of the tubes between the said tube letters is indicated by dotted linesin Figs. 2 and 3.

These parts of the tubes are madeopaque in order that the visible light may be confined to the letter shapes, as is well lmown in the art. The central letters and the enclosing part of the tube 2? constitute the main signal partof the tube while the part 65 is the timer extension thereto.

A sectional view of a portion of one of the tubes with two electrodes thereonis shown in Fig. 11, where the electrode (153 is attached to one end of the tube 24 and the electrode ail is attached to the same tube a short space therefrom. The-electrode housing 63 is ashort glass tube attached to the main tube 24 by welding. Likewise the electrode housing 61 is attached by welding to the tube 25. The wires joined with the electrodes M53 and at! are extended through the conical ends of the housings 63 and S! in which they are hermetically sealed. The several electrode housings shown in Fig. 2 are so small that no attempt is made to indicate that each must have a metal electrode within attached to the wire indicated as entering the tapered end of each one thereof. Since it appears to be a common practice in the art to refer to the electrode housing and the electrode enclosed thereby as the electrode, the electrodes shown in this specification by their housings only will be referred to as electrodes.

Attached to the tube (1.23, 23, 2d are, beginning with the end of the tube from which the letter O is shaped, the electrodes 53, 55, 5?, 59, El and E3, the latter being at the other end of the tube, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In Fig. 2 side elevations of all of these electrodes are shown in solid mes.

Attached to the tube 123i, 3|, 32 are, beginning with the end at the letter F, the electrodes M, as, 83, ill, is and it, the last electrode being at the other end of the tube as shown in Figs. 2

a and 3. A side elevation in solid lines of the electrodes of the tubes e23, 23, 2tand adi, 3i, 3% is shown in Fig. 2-, except the electrodes 83, El and "is which are hidden in the drawing by the electrodes 153, 5d and 5! respectively.

In the wiring diagrams of Figs. 12 and 13 the tubes are represented as straight and toreshortened but to each is attached the full number of electrodes related thereto with. their individual designating characters.

In Fig. i the red tubes are shown in top edge elevation on the four sides of the signal box as well as a 'part of the green tubes disposed below the red tubes.

As will be fully e.- lained later, the tangent GBXtGIISiOIlS 2Q, 22, 23, 25, 28, 39, 32 and 35, each with five electrodes attached, are used to indicate, visibly, subdivisions of the signal periods.

The switch board 35 with base 38 is fastened The bell switch bracket I22 is disposed parallel with the switch board 35, with their central bearings aligned, and fastened to the floor IS. The switch shaft 31 is mounted for revolution in the said central bearings of the switch board and bell switch bracket with its ends protruding beyond 5 both the said switch board and bell switch brackslot in the base. The setting screw I20 is mounted for-revolution in the base I I9 and is extended through the lugs al l5 being engaged threadwlse 15 with the said threaded lug. The screw I2! is disposed parallel with the motor shaft H6 and has the handle l2! with which it may be revolved to move the motor 5 forward or backward longitudinally to desired positions where- 20 in the screw will retain the motor as desired. The motor shaft H8 has the friction disc ll'l fastened on its outer end to revolve therewith and is disposed at right angles with and in the plane of the shaft 31 with the disc 1 bearing on the 25 disc H8. The construction provides for driving the shaft 31 by the motor H5 at speeds determined by the position of the driving disc H1 on the driven disc 8 which position is controlled by revolving the screw handle l2l.

On the end of switch shaft 31 which protrudes beyond the switch board 35 is fastened the double switch arm 31, 38 to be revolved thereby. The switch arms 31 and 38 are radial to the switch shaft and aligned with each other. On the outer end'of longer switch arm 31 is fastened wider switch brush 39 and on the outer end of shorter switch arm 38 is narrower switch brush 40.

On the outer surface of the switch board 35,

which is of electrically insulating material, are 40 separate complete switches.

Fastened on the floor l6 are the two tubelighting converters, one with primary coil 0H3 and secondary coil i3 and the other with primary 5o coil cli l and secondary coil Hi. The primary coils of both are connected to the service wires Ml, M2 shown as entering the support pipe I 45 in Figs. 2 and 3. The secondary coil H3 has the terminals ail3 and bl l3 of which terminal bi I3 55 is connected with the buss ring 89 and the terminal cl B3 is connected with the four electrodes it, it, Bl, 88 on the inner ends of the four red tubes El, 2B, 3! and 33 respectively, as shown in Fig. 12; and the secondary coil I M has the ter- 69 minals slit and bill of which terminal bill is connected with the buss ring while terminal at is connected with the inner ends of the four green tubes I5, ll, 23 and 25 through their electrodes M, #2, 53 and 54 respectively, as shown 65 in Fig. 13.

The switch board 35 is divided into right and left halves by a central vertical line not shown, and each half is divided into six 30 sectors. Beginning at the top of the right half the switch blocks 90, 9|, 92 and 93 are centrally disposed in four of the first 30 sectors while the block 94 is disposed in the last two of the said 30 sectors. Beginning at the bottom of the left half the switch blocks as, as, 91 and 9a are centrally 75 disposed in the four of the first 30 sectors while theblock 99 is disposed in the last two of the said 30 sectors. The long blocks 94 and 99, being diametrically disposed, occupy two of the 30? sectors for reasons to be explained.

' Beginning at the bottom in the left half of the inner row of switch blocks, the. blocks IOI, I02,

I03, I04 and I05 occupy the first five of the 30 sectors while the sixth sector is vacant. Beginning at the top in the inner row of the right half the blocks I05, I01, I08, I09 and H occupy the first five 30? sectors of this half while the sixth sector is vacant. In the same sectors as the said vacant spaces in the inner row of switch blocks are the two diametrically outermost blocks II 2 at the top of the left half and III at the bottom of the right half of the switch board. The blocks III and H2 are confined to one 30 sector rather than occupying two such sectors as do the adjacent blocks 94 and 99.

In the wiring diagram Fig. 12 the switch blocks in the outer circle and the said two outermost blocks are ranged along the two sides of the bus bar 89 while in Fig. 13 the blocks of the inner circle are ranged. along the two sidesof the buss bar I00. In Fig. 12 the block 90 is connected with the electrodes 13 and 14, the block 9| with the electrodes H and 12, the block 92 with the electrodes 69 and 10, the block 93 with the electrodes 51 and 68, the block 94 with the electrodes 65' and 65, the block 95 with the electrodes 85 and 86, the block 96 with the electrodes 83 r and 84, the block 91 with the electrodes BI and trodes trodes 02, the block 98 with the electrodes 19 and 80 and the block 99 with theelectrodes 11 and 18, while the outer block III is connected with the block 99 and the outer block H2 is connected with the block 94. A

In Fig. 13 the block H0 is connected with the electrodes I and 52, the block I09 with the..electrodes 49 and 50, the block I08 with the electrodes 41 and 48, theblock I01 with the elec- 45 and 46, the'block I06 with the elec- 43 and 44, the block I05 with the elec- 63 and 64, the block I04 with the electrodes 6| and 62, the block I03 with the electrodes 59 and 60, the block I02 with the electrodes 51 and 58 and the block IOI with the electrodes 55 and 56.

The switch arm brush 39, on the longer switch arm 31-, may separately make electrical connection between the buss ring 89 and any one of the switch blocks in the outer circle as it is revolved by the shaft 31; also it may make electrical connection between the outer block III, the block 94 and the buss ring 89 during its movement over one half the length of the long block 94, and between the outer block II2, the block 99 and trodes the buss ring 89 during its movement over one-.

half the length of the long block 99.

The switch brush 40 on the shorter switch arm 38 may separately make electrical connection between the buss ring I00 and anyone of the blocks in the inner circle and also bear on either of the two vacant sectors in the inner circle of blocks thus at such time connecting the buss ring I00 with no switch block.

The switch brushes are shaped to bridge the spaces between the blocks and make no interruption in the passage of electricity as they pass from block to block. The brushes 39 and 40 simultaneously make connections on the switch board at all parts of their revolution except when the brush 40 bears on either of the said vacant sectors in the inner circle of blocks at which times the outer brush 39 alone is operative in making electrical connections. I

In Fig, 2 the switch brush 39 is shown disposed to make electrical connection between buss ring 89 and the switch block 9| thus providing for the flow of electricity from the electrodes 15 and 16 through the red tube coils (121, 21 and a29, 29 to their electrodes H and 12, respectively; thus showing a red light in these and in the first space of the time indicators 28 and 30, located on the east and west sides of the signal box, as indicated in the letters ST OP the. coil 21. and the first section between the electrodes 13 and H of the time indicator 28 in Fig. 2. Y At the same time the switch brush 40 is shown in Fig. 2 as making electrical connection between the bus. ringl00 and the switch block I02 of the inner circle; thus showing a green light in the letters and coils (123, 23 and 1125,

and in the first sections of the time indicators 24 and 26, as shown in the diagram Fig. 13 where the current would flow from the electrodes 53 and 54 to the electrodes .51 and 58 respectively. The letters G0 and the coils 23 and 25 and the time indicators 24 and 23 to their electrodes 51 and 58, respectively, on the north and south sides of the signal box would show a green light as indicated on the north side of the box in Fig. 3.

-Assume theswitch brush 39 to be turned to contact with the block 92 while the brush 40 contacts the block I03, then by following the dicators is added to the prior illuminated parts of the tubes. Thus, as the rotation of the switch arms continues, diametrically opposite switch blocks in the outer and inner circles are con- .tacted by the brushes and current passes through them to the tum electrodes connected therewith, thus continuing to add section to section of the illumination of the time indicators till the switch blocks 94 and I05 are contacted by the brushes 39 and 40, respectively, when the red tubes on the east and west sides and the green tubes on the north and south sides are completely illuminated.

The brush movement continues till the brush 40 passes off of the block I 05 on to the blank space between blocks I05 and H36 thus interrupting the current in the green tubes and the illumination therein ceases. Meanwhile, the brush 39.continues its contact with the long block 94 and the illumination in the red tubes on the east and west sides continues.

At the time when the brush 40 is entirely on the said blank space the brush 39 contacts the outer block III while retaining contact with the block 94 and buss ring 89. From the chart Fig. 12 is seen that the block III is connected with the block 99 and the block 99 is connected to period is closed by stopping all vehicular traflic by red signals on the four sides of the box as cusand the coils 3| and 33 on the n01 on and south sides of the box with red light as the brush passes from the outer block I I, but providing no light for the full length of the time indicators 32 and 34. Meanwhile, the brush 40 is passing over the block I98, which is connected to the electrodes 43 and 44, thus illuminating with green light the letters GO and the coils l9 and 2| on the east and west sides of the signal box but only to the said electrodes 43 and 44 which are on the coils at the parts where the time indicators 23 and 22 are tangent thereto, thus providing no light for any part of these time indicators. The brush39 passes over the block 96, which is connected to the electrodes 83 and 84 thus continuing the red illumination of the letters the coils 3| and 33 andto these adding the first section of the time indicators 32 and 34" on the north and south sides of the box. Meanwhile the brush 4!] is passing over the block I91, which is connected with the electrodes 45 and 46, thus continuing the green illumination of the letters G0, the coils l9 and 2| and the adding thereto of the green illumination of the first section-of the time indicators 29 and 22 on the east and west sides of the signal box. The brush .39 then moves over the signal block 91, which is connected with the electrodes 8| and 82, thus retaining the red illumination of the letters 0? I the coils 3| and 33, the first section of the time indicators 32 and 34 and adding thereto the second section of the said time indicators on the north and. south sides of the box. Meanwhile, the brush 49 is moving over the block I98, which is connected with the electrodes 41 and 49, thus continuing the green illumination of the lettersGO, the coils l9 and 2|, the first section of the time indicators and adding thereto the second section of the said time indicators 29 and 22 on the east and west sides of the signal box. The brush 39 then moves over the block 98, which is connected with the electrodes 19 and 80, thus adding block I09, which is connected with the electrodes 49 and 59, thus adding thethlrd section of the time indicators 2|! and 22 to the green illumination of the first two sections thereof, to the coils l9 and 2| and the letters GO therein. The brush 39 then passes over the first part of the long block 99, which is connected with the electrodes TI and-l8, thus adding the fourth and last'sectio'n of the time indicators 32 and 34 to the red illusignal tubes is operative.

*minate'd third, second and first sections thereof,

to the coils 3| and 33 and tothe letters ST OP therein on the north and south sides of the switch box. Meanwhile, the brush 40 passes over the block H0, which is connected with the electrodes 63 and 64, thus adding the fourth section of the time indicators 2|) and 22 to the green illuminated .tubes which completes illumination thereof and the entire length of the green- Continued movement of the brush 40 causes it to pass from the block I 0 on to the blank space between this block and the block shutting the current from the said green signal tubes on the east and west sides of the box and their color disappears. Meanwhile the brush 39 continues on the long block 99 and also contacts the outer block 2, which is connected with the block 94, thus the red tubes on the north and west sides of the box continue as such but also the upper tubes on the east and west sides of the box are made red, resulting in the red illumination 01 all of the upper tubes and no illumination in any of the lower tubes, which marks the closing of a time period. The brush 39 moves from the long block 99 and the outer block I I2 on to the block 90, which is connected with the electrodes 13 and 14, thus the east and west sides of the box are illuminated red beginning with the letters and ending with the beginning of thetangent time indicators 28 and 30. Meanwhile the brush 40 has passed on to the block |9|, which is connected with the electrodes 55 and 56, and the lower tubes on the north and south sides of the box are illuminated green beginning with the letters GO and ending with the beginning of the tangent time indicators 24 and 25.

An entire revolution of both brushes 39 and 40,- has now been followed and the operations of the signals thereby have been given in detail'together with the required electrical conduits and connections with respect to the signal control switch board 35 and the brushes 39 and 40 which are slowly moved thereover by the revolution of the motor I I5.

It is now plain that the construction provides for a four-sided signal box with a signal tube for red illumination above and a signal tube for green illumination below on each of the four box sides, and with red signals displayed on two opposite sides of the box simultaneously with"g'reen signalsdisplayed on the other two opposite sides of the signal 'box; The signal period is subdivided into six-divisions. During the first division both the red and green illuminations are confined t'o the signal letters and the coils around the same, during the second division the illumination of the first spaces of the time indicators is added, during the third division the second spaces of the time indicators are added, duringthe fourth division the third spaces of the time indicators are added, during the fifth division the fourth and last spaces of the time indicators are added and during the'sixth division the green signal lights disappear and all of the red signals are on.

In some cases where these-crossing signals are used the time indicators will doubtless supersede the present signal bells, since they are informative of the part of the time period passed and yet remaining, making the bell signals in some cases unnecessary. However, bell signals are included in this specification.

The bell-control mechanism is shown in Figs.

1' and 4. The bracket I22 is vertically disposed and fastened to the floor I 6 and has a central bearing in which is mounted the other 'end of the switch shaft 31. On one side of the bracket I22 are fastened the blocksof insulating material 523 and ISi disposed on opposite ends of a charm eter through the shaft 31. Set at a distance from the block I23 are the spacedipins IZ'Iand I36. The prime current-break spring I24 is fastened to one side of the block 523 tending to react toward the shaft 3'1 and stopped from nearer approach to the shaft by the pin #27 set in the bracket I 22. The contact spring I24 has near one end the contact point I 28 on its outer side and the v embossment on its inner side at I25.

The second contact or current-break spring IE8- is fastened to the other side of the block I23 tending to react toward the spring lZt and stopped from nearer approach thereto by the pin 530 set in the said bracket. Nearthe free end of the spring I28 is the contact point I 29 adjacent the said contact point I26. Fastened to the other block I3I is the prime current-break spring 532 set to react toward the shaft 37 and stopped from nearer approach thereto by the pin I135 fastened in the bracket I 22. Near an end of the spring I32 is the V embossment E33 projected toward the said shaft and on the other side thereof is the contact point I34. The second current-break spring I36 is fastened to the other side of the block HI and is set to react toward the spring E32 and stopped from nearer approach thereto by the stop pin 138 fastened in the bracket E22. The embossments I26 and I33 are on the ends of a diameter through the shaft 32 and equidistant therefrom. The shaft 3? protrudes beyond the bearing in the bracket I22 and has on its protruding end the two fingers we and ME] retainable in desired positions on the shaft by set screws. The said fingers are of equal length and during revolution impinge on the .embossments I26 and I33 to force the contact point i225 against the contact point H29, thus closing a circuit through springs H4 and I 28; and also to force the contact point I3 3 against the contact point 113?, thus closing a circuit through the springs 32 and I35. The construction provides for two contacts of the springs E24 and i238 closely occurring and also for two closely following contacts of the springs I32 and I35 each revolution of the shaft 37.

A wiring diagram in connection with Fig. 4 shows the terminal Mil connected with both of the springs ti l and H32 and the terminal I I? connected with bothof the springs 28 and I36.

The converter having a primary coil ai i i and a secondary coil 1 id is fastened on the floor it and its primary coil is connected to the service wires i il and M2. The terminal 115% of the secondary coil MS is connected with the terminal Ml of thesaid circuit-closing springs, the terminal M43 is connected with the bell magnet terminal I49 and the bell magnet terminal I50 is connected with the circuit-closing springs terminal I48. The connections provide for the ringing of the hell I 42 every time either of the fingers. I39 5 or M0 causes either of the springs I24 or 32 to contact with either of the springs I28 or I36. As illustrated,- the bell I42 will ring when the switch brush 39 contacts switch block III and again when the said brush breaks contact with the said block; also, the said bell will ring when the brush 39 contacts the switch block H2 and again when the said brush breaks contact with the block H2, causing the said bell signals to be given at the beginning and end of the signal division when all of the red signals are displayed and none of the green signals appear. If it be desired that the bells shall ring at another part of the time periods, the fingers I33 and I40 may be set at the places in the shaft revolution relative to the switch arms 31, 38 which will ring the bell at the desired times. If the use of the bell be not desired, the fingers I39 and M0 may be removed from the shaft 31.

The converter having the primary coil (1144 and the secondary coil I44 is fastened to the floor IE. The terminals of the secondary coil I 44 are connected to the terminals of the motor H5, while the terminals of the primary coil aI-M are connected to the service wires aI4I, M42. These service wires are from a switch at the signal-control central station and are brought to the signal box therefrom. The service wires MI, H52 also are from the said central station and are connected to another switch thereat; both of thesaid switches being connected to the city service wires. If all traffic at a certain street intersection should cease, the motor in the signal box thereat may be stopped at a time when. all of the red signals and none of the green signals are being shown, and if it is desired that the bell should continuously ring at the same time, the motor is stopped at a time when the said bell is ringing. This condition of the signals will continue till the motor is again started when the usual signal operation will be resumed.

The relatively wide web on the frame corner T bars is useful in covering an edge view of the signals on the transverse sides of the signal box.

Having thus disclosed my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-

An illuminating gas-filled tube street-crossing signal capable of emitting a traffic-directive color including, traffic letters formed from the said tube, a part of the said tube being coiled around the said letter part thereof, another part of the said tube being extended from the said coil, a tube electrode connected to the end of the said tube at one of the said letters, a plurality of other 0 tube electrodes spaced apart and connected to the said tube extension, and means to cause an electric current to pass through the said tube being between the said letter electrode and any one of the said electrodes on the said tube extension.

ARTHUR DOUGLAS JOHNS, JR. 

